Preterm neonatal immunology at the intestinal interface.

Fetal and neonatal development represents a critical window for setting a path toward health throughout life. In this review, we focus on intestinal immunity, how it develops, and its implications for subsequent neonatal diseases. We discuss maternal nutritional and environmental exposures that dictate outcomes for the developing fetus. Although still controversial, there is evidence in support of an in utero microbiome. Specific well-intentioned and routine applications of antibiotics, steroids, and surgical interventions implemented before, during, and after birth skew the neonate towards pro-inflammatory dysbiosis. Shortly after birth, a consortium of maternal and environmentally derived bacteria, through cross-talk with the developing host immune system, takes center stage in developing or disrupting immune homeostasis at the intestinal interface. We also examine subsequent immunological cross-talks, which involve neonatal myeloid and lymphoid responses, and their potential impacts on health and disease such as necrotizing enterocolitis and sepsis, especially critical disease entities for the infant born preterm.

Human Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Suppresses NF-κB Activity and Extends Lifespan in Adult Drosophila.

Human alpha 1 antitrypsin (hAAT) is a multifunctional protein that has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and cellular protective properties. While previous studies demonstrated the antiaging potential of hAAT, the mechanism(s) underlying the antiaging effect remain elusive. In this study, we performed a detailed analysis of transcriptomic data that indicated that NF-κB-targeted genes and NF-κB-regulated pathways were selectively inhibited by hAAT treatment. We further showed that the first detectable impact of hAAT treatment was the inhibition of the nuclear activity of NF-κB. Subsequently, hAAT treatment suppressed the mRNA levels of NF-κB-targeted genes, as well as NF-κB itself (P65 and P50), in human senescent cells. Using Drosophila models, we further examined the impact of hAAT on locomotor activity and endurance. Finally, using an adult-specific promotor, we demonstrated that overexpression of hAAT in the late stage of life significantly extended the lifespan of transgenic flies. These results extend the current understanding of the anti-inflammatory function of hAAT.